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PM covers a broad spectrum of issues relevant to all sections of Australia's geographically and culturally diverse community. It looks behind political, economic, industrial, business, social, cultural, rural, regional and arts stories. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Downer declares contempt for terrorists

The Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has declared his 'contempt' and 'scorn' for those responsible for the twin bomb attacks on synagogues in Turkey over the weekend. Al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the blasts in a statement that also warns Australia and other countries that they will the targets of future attacks. Mr Downer says Australia will not be 'cowed' by such threats, and that this country's being targeted because Australians fight against terrorism.

Calls for public submissions for Hanson inquiry

Queensland's corruption watchdog has decided to call for public submissions, as part of an investigation into the jailing of Pauline Hanson and One Nation co-founder David Ettridge. The Queensland Parliament last week asked the Crime and Misconduct Commission to take a look at the case, after the Court of Appeal overturned the pair's conviction for electoral fraud. The Court's judgement criticised the way the trial was handled and also the comments of some politicians.

Bronwyn Bishop blames Beattie for Hanson prosecution

Back in August the Federal Liberal MP, Bronwyn Bishop, held Peter Beattie and his government responsible for, as she put it, making Pauline Hanson Australia's first political prisoner. She continues to hold that view. But will Mrs Bishop take up the Queensland Premier's challenge to make a submission to the Crime and Misconduct Commission inquiry?

Former Tipperary Station owner sues for defamation

The property developer accused of neglecting his private collection of rare and exotic animals, is now suing a Northern Territory government minister for defamation. Warren Anderson has been charged with animal cruelty, on the grounds that he's alleged to have failed to provide food for his 2,200 animals at the Tipperary Wildlife Sanctuary, 200 kilometres south of Darwin. His case is due before the Darwin Magistrates Court tomorrow.

EU ambassador hits back at Prime Minister

The European Union Ambassador to Australia has hit back at the Prime Minister for an attack he made in London last week on the operations of the European bureaucracy. Mr Howard said in a speech that Europe had massive red tape problems, spawned by a supra-national bureaucracy, which had to do something to justify its existence, so spent its time generating new rules.

Gen X having kids later and less well off

The Federal Opposition has seized on research out today showing members of the so-called 'generation X' are having children later and are less well-off than the baby-boomers who went before them. The National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling, NATSEM, says those born between 1961 and 1976 aren't as lucky as the children of the immediate post war generation. The research also shows university-educated women are significantly less likely to have children than women without a degree.

SA power prices climbing

Experts on electricity pricing have been blaming flaws in the national market at a national conference on power prices in Adelaide today. With power prices on the rise across the nation, speakers say the system is over-regulated. The conference couldn't be in a more appropriate capital – South Australia's power prices have climbed 25 per cent since the market was deregulated at the beginning of this year, after the then Liberal government privatised the state's electricity system.

Suspected serial killer in China arrested

In China police have arrested a man believed to be the country's worst serial killer. Police say the previously convicted rapist and thief killed 65 people in four provinces. Mass murders are rare in China, but they and other violent crimes appear to be becoming increasingly common.

Hotel industry dismisses push for smoking ban

The hotel industry has dismissed as rubbish a push to ban smoking in clubs and hotels in New South Wales. A coalition of health groups says 78 per cent of people don't smoke when they go out for a drink and shouldn't have to be subjected to breathing in the fumes of the few who do. But the industry says trial bans in Victoria and New South Wales have been disastrous for business, and claims the majority of pub patrons are in fact smokers.

Health researcher says weight emphasised over exercise

About two and a half million Australian adults are considered to be overweight or obese and most researchers think this figure's on the rise. But now an American researcher is suggesting there's too much emphasis on weight, when it's the level of physical activity that counts.

England beats France in World Cup

The rugby field is one place where you can probably prove you can be heavy weight, but still nothing but bone and muscle. The World Cup is down to the final game, England versus Australia, and for Rugby fans, it doesn't get any better. Over the weekend the Wallabies made fools of the pundits who'd written them off and ousted the favourites, the All-Blacks. And last night England, aided by their resilience in wet conditions and the brilliance of their fly-half, Jonny Wilkinson, crushed the French. Now in the lead up to this weekend's final, both sides will be doing battle with the media.